51997AC0231

Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Regulation (EEC) No 1442/88 on the granting, for the 1988/1989-1997/1998 wine years, of permanent abandonment premiums in respect of wine-growing areas` (97/C 133/08)

On 30 January 1997, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 6 February 1997. The rapporteur was Mr Quevedo Rojo.

At its 343rd plenary session (meeting of 26 February 1997), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 93 votes to three, with five abstentions.

Having taken note of some Member States' delay in designating the regions to benefit from the permanent abandonment premiums in respect of wine-growing areas pursuant to the terms of Council Regulation (EC) No 1595/96 of 30 July 1996, amending the basic Council Regulation No 1442/88 of 24 May 1988, the Committee approves the Commission proposal to extend the time limit (31 December 1996) fixed for eligible producers to submit applications to the authorities designated by the Member States.

Such a measure would seem to be necessary in order not to jeopardize (i) premium payments for 1996/97 and (ii) the success of an instrument that aims to help achieve market balance in the wine-growing sector.

Brussels, 26 February 1997.

The President of the Economic and Social Committee

Tom JENKINS